Meet Bishop Eaton

The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton was elected as the ELCA’s fourth presiding bishop at the 2013 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. Born in Cleveland on April 2, 1955, Eaton earned a Master of Divinity degree from Harvard Divinity School...

Luther and Lutheranism

Martin Luther was eight years old when Christopher Columbus set sail from Europe and landed in the Western Hemisphere. Luther was a young monk and priest when Michaelangelo was painting the Sistine Chapel in Rome...

ELCA Good Gifts Catalog

Assignment Process

Assignment completes candidacy for all people, including those ordained in another Lutheran church or Christian tradition, moving them toward first call and admittance to the appropriate roster in the ELCA...

Getting Started »

New to ELCA

New to the ELCA?

Welcome to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The ELCA is a church of more than 4 million members who actively participate in God’s work in the world. We believe that we are freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor.

With our hands, we do God’s work of restoring and reconciling communities in Jesus Christ’s name throughout the world. We are a church that belongs to Christ. There is a place for you here. We live in many different communities, span all ages, cultures and races and bring to this church unique life experiences and perspectives. Seek answers to your questions and discover what God is calling you to in life.

A congregation is a diverse community of believers who gather for worship, exploring God’s word together, mutual care and support, and equipping one another to live and serve in the world.

More than 4 million members of the ELCA gather in nearly 10,000 congregations across the 50 states, Caribbean and U.S. Virgin Islands. Chances are there is a congregation near you. Find a congregation today and connect with other people who are committed to participating in what God is up to in the world.

We believe that we all have a calling — a vocation — to follow Christ’s example of serving and loving our neighbor, pursuing justice and peace in the world. The ways in which lay leaders serve this church, their

communities and the world are as diverse as the strengths, life experiences, interests and skills each person brings with them as part of their unique story. Learn more about yourself, how and where God may be calling you as a leader and what opportunities there are for further preparing yourself.

Rostered leaders are called, equipped and theologically trained to serve in the ELCA on a roster (or list) to do God’s work in the world. There are a variety of rostered leaders, including ordained pastors and different types of lay rostered leaders.

Rostered leaders work in congregations, special ministries, social service agencies, youth and family ministries, schools and colleges, parish nursing, and wherever God is at work and calling leaders to serve. Do you have a sense that God is calling you to serve? Learn more about the process and opportunities for ministry.

Worth a Look

We are always looking at ways to improve our website. Let us know what you think. Click on the “Site Feedback” link located in the bottom right corner of any page on ELCA.org. Use the form to send us your comments.

Ongoing conflict in Ukraine has forced millions of people to flee their homes. Lutheran Disaster Response is committed to responding by providing food, diapers, blankets, water, health kits, hygiene kits and psychosocial services. You can help.

This is Christ's church.

There is a place for you here.
We are the church that shares a living, daring confidence in God's grace. Liberated by our faith, we embrace you as a whole person — questions, complexities and all. Join us as we do God's work in Christ's name for the life of the world.